Architecture Theses and Dissertations

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37+
(2015-04-21) Trotty, William M; Schaum, Troy; Wittenberg, Gordon; Colman, Scott
Walls are edges between two distinct entities; urban forms that attempt to express neutrality as infrastructure while firmly rejecting interaction between opposing constituencies. Walls are usually contiguous lines; establishing absolute boundaries and absolute limits. Belfast, Northern Ireland is no stranger to walls. Over 100 currently exist in the city as peace-keeping mechanisms separating Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods. These highly visible urban forms create parallel communities with parallel services; producing redundant infrastructures and multiplying territorial subjectivities. The City of Belfast wants all the Interface Walls removed by 2020, but the citizens want them to stay. Of the 100 walls, it is estimated that 37 will remain. As Belfast struggles to create a new marketable image for world of a city moving forward, the interface walls spread out across the city remain a marker of its conflicted past. But there may be hope for reclaiming the city, and in turn, pushing Belfast into a more transnational urban landscape. Unlike the Berlin Wall, the walls in Belfast are non-contiguous boundaries between communities; navigating the city means commuting around and through the walls on a daily basis. The Interface Walls in Belfast do not act as literal walls dividing the city, but as symbolic walls. And as a symbol, the meaning and function of the walls can change. 37+ proposes creating this shift in the symbolic nature of the Interface Walls in Belfast by introducing more walls; a network of 221 insertions in the walls that house schools, clinics, pubs, and parks. These new lengths of Interface Walls create a datum in the city that redefines the symbol of the Interface Wall as a divisive edge; exacerbating the multiplication of infrastructures and subjects to a positive effect through serial deployment of shape, materiality, and program. This new urban identity for Belfast acknowledges and rejects the contentious territoriality extant in the city, converting urban forms dedicated to separating communities into attractors for the city that negotiate contentious space.
66 ° N
(2007) Hofstede, Nicholas Anton; Lee, Clover
'66°N' is the design for a large-scale ecotourism hotel that takes advantage of dynamic and shifting environmental conditions of Greenland to visually and physically register the changes in the fragile arctic environment. Located on the Western coast of Greenland near one of the largest potential sources of direct sea-level rise, the Ilulissat Ice-Fjord, the design explores the intersection of two global trends: the effects of global climate change and the increase in popularity of ecotourism in the arctic. The techniques of building in an extreme and remote environment to provide infrastructure for ecotourist activities result in a permanent structure that is subjected to the continuously shifting site conditions of water and landscape. The relationship between rigid and responsive forms is used as an architectural register to these conditions that change the patterns and use of the hotel over time.
A chronological analysis of utopias, urbanism and technology
(1971) Bottorff, James Lynn; Mitchell, O. Jack
This thesis is a comparative analysis of the chronological patterns of utopias, urbanism, and technology that have prevailed throughout European and American history. It analyzes a wide range of carefully selected utopian concepts, and compares them with the dominant urbanistic and technological events existing at similar points in time. The result of this investigation is a theory that utopian activity has responded to urbanistic and technological trends in a recurring sequence, and that this pattern continues up to the nineteenth century. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the recurring pattern becomes complex and less defined because of an increase in utopian concepts. Based on this theory, the thesis concludes that utopian activity has responded to the prevailing urbanistic trends and technological changes of society and-the appearance of utopian activity has signaled society of important changes.
A Commons Lobby
(2015-04-15) Biroscak, Samuel; Whiting, Sarah; Wittenberg, Gordon; Colman, Scott
The social context of mobile work has dissolved the physical dominance of the workstation. The city, once anchored and animated by the clockwork activity of the downtown office, today absorbs this mobile workforce within coffee shops, parks, and public spaces, blurring distinctions between spaces of leisure and spaces of production. As the most visible threshold between the office desk and the city street, the lobby is uniquely positioned to establish social forms of work as a generator of architectural form. By concretizing public/corporate blurring within a highly visible container in the city, A Commons Lobby leverages the social nature of the mobile workforce to reclaim the office as a hub of social activity and a laboratory for new types of work. Lobbies typically serve as a publically occupiable control point, welcoming visitors while restricting their activity, aiming to impress without inviting anyone to stay. It is a spatial type perpetually at odds with itself. The lobby’s potential to transform the office is no more evident than in San Francisco, where the exponential growth of the high-tech industry has led to an internalization (and economic stratification) of the social and commercial activity that once animated downtown streets. As a site, this thesis operates on a new San Francisco live/work district in need of a formal and programmatic counterpoint to the bland anonymity of the typical office. An increasingly mobile workforce places more, not less, importance on the context and urban implications of production. By opening up the lobby as an expanded threshold supporting social, commercial, and corporate program, a new workplace typology emerges to reestablish the office as an urban protagonist.
A community and cultural center for Hilton Head Island : the thesis conclusion
(1987) Gill, R. Scott
No abstract
A community fine arts center
(1951) Jones, Euine Fay, 1921-2004
In recent decades the arts have been neglected. We are only now beginning to re-instate them, and give them the importance they deserve, the importance they have had in some of the past great ages of mankind. In the last 100 years especially, we have been so dazzled by the spectacular achievements of science, so absorbed in its complexity and ramifications, that we have slighted the arts, leaving them to the few people who had some special drive or talent. In education they have been treated too often as minor frills. Education has concentrated on the sciences, and on the practical-sounding subjects requiring only verbal literacy. Literacy in music and in the visual arts has been allowed to decay, to our very great loss. Too many of us don't know how to hear, how to see. Indeed, too many of us hardly know how to feel. We have over-emphasized the more abstract, rational processes of the mind, at the expense of the creative imagination, the insights and perceptions which the arts provide. We have developed the head and starved the heart. We see and admire all around us the achievements of science. But we are uneasily aware that science is a neutral force - it can destroy as well as build. Its vast potentialities depend upon the wisdom with which it is used; and wisdom is not the product of a mathematical formula. The arts provide both discipline and spontaneity: the discipline of hand and eye, the discipline of the emotions, the feeling for form and order; and the spontaneity of the imagination, of sensitive perception. No matter what the medium employed, whether it be paint, clay, the notes of music or a dramatic representation, the subject of the arts is man: his relationship to himself, to his fellows, to his times: in short, his meaning and purpose. These are the basic issues which concern all of us; and all of Us, however devoid of special talents, can learn from the great art of the past, and from the struggles of contemporary artists as they try to express their feelings about the human situation. Art employs a universal language. Through it, we can bridge the centuries, the oceans, the continents. The great ages of history are great, not because of the wealth or pomp or power they displayed, but because of the art and literature they behind, a rich heritage shared fy all the civilized world... A work of art speaks to us immediately, whether it was fashioned by an unknown African, a Greek of the time of Pericles, or a contemporary Russian composer. We recognize in it the expression of the universal human spirit, whose aspirations we share. Our own age is one of crisis, when the individual feels himself threatened by uncontrollable social forces. In large areas, the individual has been politically crushed and subordinated to an all-powerful state. He has become only a statistical unit, a pawn in power politics. It is significant that the totalitarian states cannot allow any freedom for the arts. Dictators are rightly afraid of artists, because they insist on dealing, not with a statistical unit, but with a whole man; not with pawns, but with human souls. The arts are a bastion of individual freedom; and a society which encourages the arts, and which exposes itself to the discipline, insight, and spontaneity they provide, is making an affirmative statement about the continuing value of the free human spirit. A flourishing community should become aware of, and contemporary with its art. The bright lights of literature, painting, sculpture, music and dance should be reflected to the community. The creative artist should have the opportunity of making known his work and helping to promote its value. To closely relate all of the arts is not a new proposal, but the ideas and ideals of a community fine arts center are worthy of consideration by the truly progressive community which is planning For its growth. Housing the arts in a carefully planned group of buildings would not only bring the various artists together, where they could not help but learn from one another, but it could become the heart-center and emotional inspiration of a community. The architect for such a project should strive to give the community a group of beautiful, distinctive, and efficient workshops where the arts could live and grow, and from which their civilizing influence would spread into the daily lives of the individual members of the community.
A community theatre
(1949) Stousland, Charles Eugene
A comparative analysis of two contemporary positions : toward a design strategy
(1983) Gendler, Steven Harris; Cannedy, William T.
The intention of this thesis has evolved subtly, but significantly over the course of the semester. In its initial state, the thesis proposed to establish rule structures for neo-rationalism and post-modernism, and subsequently test the validity of each with a design problem. Because of discrepancies between architects within these positions it was felt that a proponent of each should be selected for analysis. At that point both the worthiness of defining a rule structure for an individual as well as the merit of delving into two discrete experiments was questioned. Currently, the thesis is designed to isolate the virtuous characteristics of neo-rationalism and post-modernism and posit a method by which these characteristics might be realized in a single design solution. In order to achieve this, a procedure will be undertaken that: 1) establishes history as the repository of architectural language; 2) demonstrates how this language is expressed through architectural types; 3) relates type to both the work of two proponents of the positions as well as the design problem at hand and ultimately; 4) describes a theoretical means by which to approach the imminent design phase. It should be emphasized that buildings are essential to this investigation because, as any word or product of culture, they are full of intention and meaning. It is hoped that this thesis presents a framework through which to discover a definable design technique that embraces both the poetic and functional essence of architecture.
A computer-aided spatial synthesis system for architectural desig
(1984) Matsushita, Satoshi; Rowe, Peter G.; Bavinger, Bill A.; Todd, Anderson
A system for computer-aided spatial synthesis for application to architectural design was developed. It receives information about the spaces to be arranged and proposes a geometrical form for their organization. The special feature of this system is the ability to deal with relationships between spaces and the surrounding environment in three dimensions. After data input, the number of floors in the ultimate organization is decided and every space is assigned to an appropriate floor. Planning of each floor is then undertaken in a sequential manner. Each space is allocated to minimize the relative circulation cost, which is calculated on the basis of both relative proximity and distance among spaces. Some example solutions are presented, ranging from a simple single-story building to a four-story complex.
A critical analysis of the tectonic concepts in the thought and work of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
(1994) West, Christophe Charles; McKee, Elysabeth Yates-Burns
This study is a critical reevaluation of the conceptual basis of Mies van der Rohe's use of tectonics. It concludes that Mies's tectonic concepts developed in four phases, and that each phase emphasized specific aspects of his Transcendental thought. It determines that each phase specifically embodied the dialectical arguments of his writings during that phase. The sequence of these tectonic concepts reflects Mies's development from a representational to an ontological understanding of tectonics, and reveals his return to representational tectonics at the end of his life.
A critical application of traditional urban patterns and housing typologies in a desert urban town: the case of Majes City, Peru
(1985) Torres Soto, Miguel A.; Underhill, Michael; Waldman, Peter; Wittenberg, Gordon
This thesis deals with a critical application of urban patterns and housing typologies through an urban design study for a new town in a desert region.The effects of an arid climate on urban life and the functional organization of a new town are examined together with the impact of cultural traditions of city building. Majes City is to be a component of the Majes Irrigational Project planned for the coastal desert of Peru. The climatic conditions and the geographic situation of the site are seen to be major factors in defining criteria for the spatial configuration of this town. Peruvian urban traditions and urban traditions common in other desert regions in terms of urban patterns are also studied in order to define further criteria for the design proposal. In addition, the design is based on a grid-block system which is an urban pattern with specific housing types in developing Peruvian cities. Hence, the design seeks to simultaneously respond to several contextual issues including: the site, the climate, people's culture and needs, Peruvian urban traditions and modern attempts to improve the urban environment.
A dynamic figure ground
(1994) Guga, Jeff M.; Pope, Albert
The question this thesis explores is what could the relationship be between subject, the participant, and object, architectural form, other than fixed. This question arises from a consideration of the relative value of the perceptual field within aesthetic events. Alternative methods of interpreting the figure-ground relationship can cause a break in the definition of observer and object as static entities. Twentieth century painting and sculpture have challenged the conception of a stable figure-ground relationship in favor of a dynamic view. Increasingly within this view the subject has been called upon to become a part of the composition, through the involvement of perception as an integral part of the aesthetic event and/or by the subject becoming part of the event. Underlying this question is the notion that when the cognitive is actively engaged with the physical, the possibility exists of creating an autonomy for subject and object. Autonomy is coincident with a freedom, an enablement, based not solely on an emotional connection through metaphor but one based on the virtual.
A Framed Construct
(2020-04-21) Miyajima, Shinji; Schaum, Troy; Finley, Dawn
This thesis explores a new technique for design through perspective which produces a phenomenon that reorders our perception of the familiar effects of lightness, heaviness, flatness, and depth within the same framework. The methodology allows representation to become a design tool through which one’s understanding gets incessantly updated, escaping from a static framework of conventional construction techniques. Located in a dense urban environment of Chicago, where the synthesis between technical inventions and aesthetics has been exhibited in the modern history of architecture, the thesis demonstrates the technique and representation of its resulting effects with an office tower to challenge its typified organization and composition under functional constraints.
A growth/change strategy for planning space science laboratory facilities
(1968) Robinson, James Y; Sobel, Robert
The purpose of this thesis is to establish a growth/change principle and demonstrate its application for space science laboratory facilities. Laboratories by nature need to be flexible. They need the capability to grow and change as experimental requirements dictate. To achieve this capability, a system based on a growth principle is needed. The method of achieving this objective was: To determine a growth principle by exploring general methods of growth. To determine the functional areas of the laboratory environment by analyzing existing laboratories in various fields of research and by inventory of the specific resources of the Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston. To determine the proportions of the functional areas to each other. This required the use of a computer and the development of a computer program capable of determining these proportions. To determine the limits of variation for each proportional relationship by analysis of the proportions provided by the computer. Finally, to test this growth principle and its determinants by applying them in a demonstration of a design for a space science laboratory system.
A HOUSING PROPOSAL AGAINST ALL ODDS: THE CASE OF SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS IN BEIRUT
(1987) HAMADEH, SHIRINE TOUFIK
The most dramatic housing manifestation of the twelve year war in Lebanon has been the squatting phenomenon, resulting from internal displacement. This issue has been blindly overbooked by the State and the private sector. Their indifference retaliated in a "silent urban revolt" to which the sprawl of the "war-displaced settlements" in the Southern-Suburb of Beirut testifies. Today, these settlements are in a deplorable condition. This thesis declares the need for an emergency housing solution. It builds on the role of political and economic constraints imposed by the urban system of the country, and on the impact of the social, cultural and economic propensities of the population involved, in determining the nature of the required intervention. By acknowledging these parameters, the study formulates a comprehensive housing policy, in essence, upgrading the existing settlements and relocating their vulnerable zones into a site and services program, thereby shifting the role of the State and private sector from "house producers" to "facilitators".
A humanistic basis for architectural design
(1960) Brodie, Menasha J; Lent, Robert F.
A library for the Texas Environmental Center on the campus of Rice University
(1992) Wasley, James Hedgcock; Wittenberg, Gordon
Architecture plays an important role in giving form to the philosophical paradigms, social institutions and physical circumstances that define a culture in a given place and time. This thesis proposes to give form to a new cultural institution in the Texas Environmental Center Library within the physical and institutional context of Rice University. This thesis also gives form to new philosophical paradigms concerning humanity and nature, both through the design of the library and through lecture material created to bring the emerging discipline of environmental ethics to bear on the problems of architectural theory and design.
A long-span cable network structure: an investigation of the relationship between space - structure - form in architecture
(1968) Mikos, Dimitrios; Todd, Anderson; Krahl, Nat W.
This study is based on an investigation into the relationship between space, structure and form in architecture. It is divided basically into three stages. In the first stage, I attempt to review and to clarify general architectural and structural ideas from the point of view of the composition of three basically different functions each of which would require, by itself, a structure of bridging long span. This stage of my research includes "problem No. 1" and "problem No. 2". In the second stage, architectural and structural problems are discussed which spring from the specific functions of a Natatorium, an Auditorium or a Gymnasium of the given scale. This stage includes "problem No. 3" of my research. The third, or last stage, includes a survey of various long-span possibilities, and the selection and development of a prototypical example that most directly, simply, and clearly houses the various functions. This resulting long-span cable network structure serves as a demonstration of the relationship between space, structure, and form.
A memorial to the colonial South
(1941) Bland, John Dietrich
A methodology for the analysis of pedestrian urban spaces
(1971) Gelsomino, Victor Vincent; Britton, Earle V.
Pedestrian urban spaces are, and have traditionally been analyzed from an historical, cultural, and physical point of view. Information from the various fields dealing with this area of the physical environment is extensive in depth and scope. However, the problem that confronts the designer is not one of a lack of descriptive information about pedestrian urban spaces, but the lack of a specific type of quantitative and qualitative information that can be used to evaluate a physical environment. In addition, the need exists to establish a technique in the form of a useful tool to aid the architect in designing successful pedestrian urban spaces. Viewing the above as a primary concern, this thesis has addressed itself to consideration of two major areas: First, the establishment of a framework for describing pedestrian urban spaces. This framework is in the form of a descriptive vocabulary defining pedestrian urban spaces according to their archetypes, physical elements, and physical attributes. Second, the presentation of an interdisciplinary framework. This is the Intersystem Congruence Model, which draws together in a compatible arrangement the diverse analytical and design methodologies employed by the disciplines of Behavioral Science and Architecture. This approach, if applied to the task of evaluating pedestrian urban spaces would give the designer an opportunity to set up and investigate many more alternative solutions than is now possible. In so doing, it requires a deeper understanding of the problem, presents a logical approach for evaluation, and offers a basis from which the architect can objectively argue his conclusion.

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